NPI Engineering Technician

About this role

It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies—like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion—have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.

We’re a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.

The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful—because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.

If you’re ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you’ll find your purpose here.

Primary Function of Position (Brief statement (3-5 sentences) describing the reporting structure,

main responsibility(s) and key function(s) which will contribute to the overall success of the

individual in this job)

This NPI Engineering Technician role supports the build, integration, test, and

troubleshooting of early-stage systems and electromechanical assemblies through Alpha, Beta,

clinical, and early production phases. This role works closely with engineering and manufacturing

teams to execute builds, identify and troubleshoot hardware and process issues, and provide

actionable feedback to improve product and process readiness. This role supports development

and refinement of manufacturing processes, fixtures, tooling, and documentation as products

mature. This role also plays a key part in transferring product and process knowledge to

production teams through hands-on training and build support.

Essential Job Duties (Specific responsibilities and tasks an individual would be expected to

perform in the role. Additional job duties may be determined by functional people manager)

• ✓Support assembly, integration, bring-up, and testing of Alpha, Beta, clinical, and early

production systems and electromechanical assemblies.

• ✓Perform hands-on troubleshooting and debugging of complex mechanical, electrical, and

electromechanical assemblies using engineering documentation, diagnostic tools, and

structured problem-solving methods.

• ✓Identify build, design, and process issues; document findings and provide clear,

actionable feedback to engineering and other cross-functional teams.

• ✓Use hand tools, measurement equipment, and test equipment to assemble, disassemble,

modify, inspect, test, and troubleshoot system components and assemblies.

• ✓Support the design, build, modification, and evaluation of engineering prototypes, test

fixtures, tooling, and manufacturing aids.

• ✓Support development, qualification, and validation activities for manufacturing equipment,

fixtures, tooling, and processes.

• ✓Assist with development and refinement of assembly procedures, test methods, work

instructions, and other manufacturing documentation based on early-build learning.

• ✓Support product and process transfer to production, including hands-on training and

technical guidance for manufacturing technicians.

• ✓Provide manufacturing engineering support during early production builds, including

troubleshooting build issues and supporting implementation of engineering changes.

• ✓Maintain organized work areas and equipment in accordance with 6S, safety, quality

system, and applicable documentation requirements

Required Skills and Experience (Specific skills, knowledge, and experience that an individual

must possess in order to successfully perform in job)

• ✓Demonstrated hands-on experience assembling, testing, troubleshooting, and repairing

complex mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical systems.

• ✓Ability to systematically troubleshoot hardware and process issues and identify potential

root causes and corrective actions.

• ✓Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, electrical schematics, assembly

documentation, specifications, and bills of materials.

• ✓Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to safely handle delicate mechanical and electrical

components.

• ✓Ability to execute builds in a dynamic development environment where designs,

processes, and requirements may change rapidly.

• ✓Strong technical documentation skills, including the ability to clearly document build

issues, troubleshooting results, deviations, and process feedback.

• ✓Effective communication and collaboration skills with Engineering, Manufacturing,

Quality, and other cross-functional teams.

• ✓Self-motivated and capable of working independently while appropriately escalating

technical issues and risks.

• ✓Proficiency with standard Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel,

PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Required Education and Training (As applicable - Specific education and training that an

individual must possess in order to successfully perform in job)

• ✓Associate degree in Engineering Technology, Electronics, Mechatronics, Manufacturing

Technology, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of technical

training and relevant hands-on experience.

• ✓Typically 3+ years of relevant experience supporting complex electromechanical

products, engineering development, manufacturing, system integration, or a related

technical environment.

• ✓Ability to perform repetitive assembly and test activities while sitting or standing for

extended periods.

• ✓Ability to lift and maneuver equipment or assemblies weighing up to 50 lbs.

Working Conditions (As applicable - Any physical requirements for the job. If not applicable, state

“none”)

None.

Preferred Skills and Experience (As applicable - Specific skills, knowledge, and experience that

are not required to perform the job, but are desirable to have)

• ✓Experience supporting NPI, prototype, alpha, beta, clinical, pilot, or other early-phase

product builds.

• ✓Experience with complex capital equipment, robotic systems, medical devices, or other

highly integrated electromechanical systems.

• ✓Experience with structured troubleshooting, root cause analysis, failure analysis, FMEA,

or similar engineering problem-solving methodologies.

• ✓Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous-improvement principles.
• ✓Experience developing, modifying, or supporting test fixtures, tooling, and engineering

prototypes.

• ✓Experience supporting equipment, fixture, tooling, or process qualification and validation

activities.

• ✓Experience training production technicians and supporting product/process transfer from

engineering into manufacturing.

• ✓Familiarity with CAD, engineering drawings, tolerance analysis, and GD&T.
• ✓Experience with ERP, PLM, or manufacturing systems such as SAP and Agile.

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19. Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer: In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on

business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.

Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the

candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.